This is a sign of the times.
The four fixed-site City of Toronto COVID-19 vaccination centres will soon be shutting down.
A statement from the City of Toronto says on December 13th, the clinics at Metro Hall, Cloverdale Mall, North York Civic Centre and the site near the Scarborough Town Centre will permanently close.
Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, says this is the end of the final chapter in the citys fixed vaccination clinics which she says were initially established as a temporary measure in response to the COVID global health crisis.
Over the course of the pandemic, Toronto Public Health administered more than 2.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines at fixed-site and mobile clinics.
Dr. de Villa reminds us to stay current with our COVID, flu and routine vaccinations which says is especially crucial as we enter the respiratory illness season.
The responsibility for COVID vaccinations will now fall to primary healthcare providers and pharmacies in Toronto.
The closures come as wastewater data now shows that the rate of COVID-19 infection in Ontario is at its highest point in more than a year. The Public Health Ontario data also suggests that other indicators are pointing to rapidly rising levels of viral activity as the temperature drops and residents spend more time indoors.
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 on November 29, 2023
According to CDC, hospital admission rates and the percentage of COVID-19 deaths among all deaths are now the primary surveillance metrics.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations for the week ending November 18, 2023
Daily Hospitalization Summary for Suffolk County From November 29, 2023
NOTE: HOSPITALS ARE NO LONGER REPORTING DATA TO NYSDOH ON WEEKENDS OR HOLIDAYS.
Fatalities 11/28/23
COVID-19 Case Tracker November 27, 2023
Note: As of May 11, 2023, COVID-19 Community Levels (CCLs) and COVID-19 Community Transmission Levels are no longer calculatable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
* As of 4/4/22, HHS no longer requires entities conducting COVID testing to report negative or indeterminate antigen test results. This may impact the number and interpretation of total test results reported to the state and also impacts calculation of test percent positivity. Because of this, as of 4/5/22, test percent positivity is calculated using PCR tests only. Reporting of total new daily cases (positive results) and cases per 100k will continue to include PCR and antigen tests.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
Last updated 5/12/23
Vaccination Clinics
As of September 12, 2023, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services is not authorized to offer COVID-19 vaccines to ALL Suffolk County residents.
The department will offer the updated vaccine to only uninsured and underinsured patients through New York State's Vaccines for Children program and Vaccines for Adults program, also known as the Bridge Access Program.
Those with insurance that covers the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to receive their vaccines at their local pharmacies, health care providers offices, or local federally qualified health centers.
The department has ordered the updated COVID-19 vaccine and will announce when the vaccine becomes available.
FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
New York State Links
CDC COVID Data Tracker Rates of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations by vaccination status
For additional information or explanation of data, click on the links provided in throughout this page.
Click here for the latest Information on COVID-19 Vaccine availability Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Emergency Department will not test for COVID-19 unless ordered by a medical provider.
Commanders / Supervisors should refrain from sending symptomatic Service Members / employees for testing to the Emergency Department. If a home test cannot be conducted, call the LRMC appointment line to make an appointment with the appropriate primary care clinic. Civilian employees should visit their host nation primary care manager as authorized through their healthcare plan.
The concept of "severe COVID-19" can be a frightening one, especially when the term itself is so often misunderstood or confused with having self-assessed severe symptoms of COVID-19.
Approximately 80% of those who test positive for COVID-19 have mild to moderate illness.1 But adults 50 and older and people of any age with certain underlying health conditions are at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19. That adds up to two in five people worldwide who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19.2 In the U.S. approximately 75% of adults are at high risk of progression to severe illness.3
According to the CDC, "Severe outcomes of COVID-19 are defined as hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), intubation or mechanical ventilation, or death."4
Severe illness is different from having symptoms that are subjectively assessed as severe, says Florin Draica, MD, MBA, Senior Medical Director, COVID-19 Antiviral Team Lead. For example, a patient can have severe headache and cough (severe symptoms) but the disease, from a clinical spectrum, can still be mild-to-moderate.
In order to take the right steps for ourselves and to protect our high-risk populations, it's important to understand the differences between having subjectively diagnosed severe symptoms and having severe COVID-19 disease," Draica says.
Here's what you need to know:
There is no typical COVID-19 infection. Those who test positive for the virus can fall along a broad spectrum from asymptomatic to critically ill.5 Some people who get COVID-19 may not notice any effects while others may experience muscle or body aches, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, congestion, headache, and loss of taste or smell.5,6 Although these symptoms may range from mild to moderate or even feel more serious, these cases would not necessarily be classified as severe COVID-19.5
"The disease can progress to severe or critical illness as the symptoms worsen, but also as the patient has additional specific symptoms that define the severe or critical stages of COVID-19 that you don't have in the mild or moderate illness, Draica explains.
Again, the severity of symptoms is not what defines having severe COVID-19 at all. Instead, a diagnosis of severe COVID-19 is based on specific clinical signs, including a respiratory rate over 30 breaths per minute, oxygen saturation below 94%, and lung infiltrates over 50%, as shown on radiographs.5
COVID-19 symptoms such as headache, fever, or a runny nose can be managed at home with over-the-counter pain relievers if the disease is mild or moderate and if the patients are not at high risk of progression to severe illness, Draica says. Patients who have a high risk for progression to severe illness and have COVID-19 should seek care from a healthcare provider and discuss whether a COVID-19 treatment might help to prevent disease progression, even if their symptoms are mild. Patients with severe or critical illness should be hospitalized and may need intensive care or supportive ventilation.3,7
Symptoms can be mild or severe while a patient has a mild to moderate COVID-19, according to Draica. "The disease management should be driven by the patient's risk status, not the subjective severity of symptoms," he says, explaining that these symptoms can worsen quickly, just as the disease can progress quickly to severe or critical, if the patient is at high risk for severe illness.
The severity of symptoms is what gets a lot of attention, but that's not necessarily the right focus, says Draica. What should be the focal point is the patient's risk for progression to severe illness.
Those who are age 50 or over or have certain underlying medical conditions, including chronic asthma, COPD, kidney disease, heart conditions or cardivascular disease, diabetes, obesity or being overweight, or people who are immunocompromised due to certain medications, organ or stem cell transplants, or have AIDS, face a greater risk of a COVID-19 infection progressing to severe illness.2,7 In the United States, approximately 75% of adults have at least one underlying health condition that places them at high risk of developing severe COVID-19.3
Despite the risks, a large proportion of patients who are at high risk and eligible for outpatient COVID-19 treatment do not receive those treatments, Draica says. He believes the oversight is related to COVID-19 patients not being aware of their high-risk status, and this not seeking care, and thus not seeking care, and their focus on symptom severity, not the risk of developing severe disease.
To complicate matters, Draica notes that two-thirds of those who have underlying conditions are unaware that they are at high risk of progression to severe illness after testing positive for COVID-19, making them less likely to seek testing or care.
To address this, Pfizer partnered with the global digital health company Ada Health Inc. to develop the Ada Health COVID-19 Care Journey. This online platform asks a series of questions for patients to learn if they have underlying conditions or other factors that put them at risk for progression to severe COVID-19. If they test positive for COVID-19, they can answer the questions and then use the information to talk to a healthcare provider via telehealth about treatment options if they test positive for COVID-19.
With the COVID-19 public health emergency having ended, we're in a different point in the pandemic.8 Still, COVID-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in United States in 2022, and the virus continues to spread.9
Staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-1910, and for appropriate patients, taking prescribed medication after testing positive for the virus can reduce the risk of developing severe COVID-19.11
Understanding what constitutes a high risk for severe COVID-19, staying informed on preventive, detection, and treatment options, and being proactive in discussions with healthcare providers about that risk is also crucial.
Those who have one or more high-risk factors should speak with a healthcare provider even if they have mild symptoms. Remember, symptom severity is not predictive of your risk for severe illness and its possible to develop severe COVID-19 even if you have mild symptoms or youre asymptomatic.5
Everybody should be alert and test to limit the spread of the disease to others who may be at high risk for severe illness, Draica says. If somebody is at high risk or uncertain of their risk and has symptoms or a known exposure, they should consult with a healthcare professional.
Many patients impacted by the COVID-19 virus experience mild illness and recover at home after a few days. Some of the symptoms for these patients include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, sore throat, and diarrhea. These individuals can usually treat their symptoms with OTC medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
For patients that may have comorbidities or experience more severe COVID-19 disease, there are other treatment options available that can help not only improve the symptoms, but also reduce the risk of hospitalization. These medications are effective especially if they are prescribed and started within 5 to 7 days of the symptoms appearance. This is especially important for older adults (>50 years), those who are unvaccinated or not up to date with their vaccinations, and those with certain medical conditions, such as lung disease, heart disease, or a weakened immune system.
Image credit: Mike Mareen | stock.adobe.com
The FDA has approved and authorized several antiviral medications that can be used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms in those that are very sick or at risk of more severe illness, including antiviral treatment medications. Antiviral agents target specific parts of the virus to stop it from growing and multiplying in the body. These options include nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (Paxlovid; Pfizer), remdesivir (Veklury; Gilead), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio; Merck).
Combination nirmatrelvir and ritonavir is authorized for adults and children 12 years and older and should be started as soon as possible within 5 days of initial symptoms. This medication comes in a 300mg/100mg dose pack and 150mg/100mg dose pack for patients use. It is important to educate patients on potential adverse effects, including liver problems, allergic reactions, and drug-drug interactions.
Remdesivir is another antiviral agent that can be used in adults and children. This medication is to be started as soon as possible within 7 days of symptom emergence. Remdesivir is only available intravenously (IV) in a health care facility and is a nucleotide prodrug of an adenosine analog, which binds to the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and inhibits the replication of the RNA transcription. The IV formulation is approved by the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19 patients aged 28 days and weighing 3 kg. In those hospitalized with COVID-19, treatment with remdesivir should continue for 5 days or until discharge.
Another option is molnupiravir. This is another antiviral agent for adults, to be started within 5 days of symptom onset. This medication can be taken at home by mouth, and the 4 capsules should be taken every 12 hours for 5 days. Patients can take this medication with or without food.
As of December 2022, nearly 6 million Americans have taken nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. To date, remdesivir has been made available to more than 10 million patients around the world, including 7 million in 127 countries through the manufacturer Gilead. As we move forward with COVID-19, many of these medications are becoming more available and affordable for the public.
It is important for the patients taking any of the mentioned treatment options to be knowledgeable about the medications, know how to take them, and for how long. Patients should generally be instructed to report symptoms of sickness, such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle and body ache, and headaches to their health care providers as soon as possible, so they can be started on the most appropriate COVID-19 therapy as early as possible for better outcomes. With wider testing available, diagnosing COVID-19 has become easier and many patients now have access to important treatment options against the COVID-19 virus.
References
1. Symptoms of COVID-19. CDC. Updated October 26, 2022. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
2. COVID-19 Treatments and Medications. CDC. Updated November 17, 2023. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/treatments-for-severe-illness.html
3. Remdesivir. NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines. Updated July 21, 2023. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/therapies/antivirals-including-antibody-products/remdesivir/
4. Fact Sheet for Patients and Caregivers: EUA of Lagevrio (molnupiravir) capsules for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). FDA. Revised October 2023. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/media/155055/download
5. Recht H. COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid has been free so far. Next year, sticker shock awaits. PBS. December 18, 2022. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/covid-19-treatment-paxlovid-has-been-free-so-far-next-year-sticker-shock-awaits
6. FDA Approves Veklury (Remdesivir) for the Treatment of Non-Hospitalized Patients at High Risk for COVID-19 Disease Progression. Gilead. January 21, 2022. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.gilead.com/news-and-press/press-room/press-releases/2022/1/fda-approves-veklury-remdesivir-for-the-treatment-of-nonhospitalized-patients-at-high-risk-for-covid19-disease-progression
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EVANSTON, Ill. --- Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic almost four years ago, people across the U.S. have reported increased rates of depression and anxiety.
While the mental health crisis has touched the lives of Americans across a broad spectrum, new Northwestern University research has found that young adults aged 18 to 39 dually burdened by the increased economic uncertainty that often accompanies youth did not recover with the rest of the population as the country emerged from the worst of the pandemic.
The study led by Sarah Collier Villaume of the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) was published today (Nov. 30) in the journal JAMA Network Open. The researchers found persistently high levels of anxiety and depression among younger adults whether looking at groupings of ages 18-29 or ages 18-39, compared to middle adults (aged 40-59).
For years, there has been a pressing conversation about mental health concerns among adolescents, Collier Villaume said. We've been thinking and talking about the challenges confronting teenagers during this contemporary moment. This is a sobering realization to see that some of those same reported stresses of being a young person in the United States extend well into early adulthood. I think that is an important thing for us to reckon with.
The findings are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey conducted over 27 months between 2020 and 2022. The researchers analyses restricted the sample to 18-59 so they could compare 18-39 with 40-59. Those surveyed were asked about their experiences during the pandemic.
Analyzing surveys completed by more than 3 million adults 18 to 59, the researchers found younger adults self-reported anxiety and depression were more elevated than older adults after surges in COVID-19 case counts but decreased less following the availability of vaccination against the virus. Additionally, they estimated that approximately one-third of the age gap among individuals with depression and anxiety can be attributed to demographic differences including economic precarity, to which younger adults are disproportionately exposed.
Among many well-documented costs of the pandemic, the mental health crisis stands out as a challenge and opportunity to better understand subsets of the population separated by age, race and economic status and address their varying needs.
Collier Villaume, the first and corresponding author of the study, is a postdoctoral fellow at the E4 Center in SESP. She conducted this study with Emma Adam the Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Human Development and Social Policy. Adam is the head of the Contexts of Adolescent Stress and Thriving Lab at Northwestern and fellow of the Institute for Policy Research.
Initial studies focused on the first few months of the pandemic and its effects on mental well-being, Collier Villaume said. Now that it has been more than three years from the pandemics onset, datasets like the Household Pulse Survey offer an unprecedented opportunity to examine trends in well-being through multiple years of a global pandemic.
The highest levels of pandemic-era anxiety and depression were observed in 2020 and began to decline in early 2021, coinciding with the availability of the COVID-19 vaccination. This decline in depression and anxiety was larger for adults 40 and older, leading to a widening of the gap in anxiety and depression between those in young and middle adulthood.
The findings identified lower household income and rates of home ownership as key differences between those in young and middle adulthood. According to the study, adults aged 18 to 39 years reported lower household incomes 60% the odds of earning $100,000 or more. It is also more likely for a young adult to be living with other people in a shared space, compared to older adults who tend to live in their own home. Better mental well-being is present in middle adulthood primarily for those experiencing relative economic stability. The authors speculate that these differences in economic conditions, among other social stressors, may have contributed to the heightened stress young adults experienced during the pandemic.
This is a wake-up call for policymakers and for everyone who cares about the well-being of young people in the U.S., Collier Villaume said. Individuals whose annual household income is less than $100,000 are potentially more vulnerable to a novel stressor like the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to those who have more economic stability. If we're seeing these higher levels of symptomology in folks who are more economically vulnerable, then our policymakers want to be thinking about how to shore up that stability during a pandemic, climate crises or other stressors.
Interestingly, vaccinations against the virus being readily available to the public had a greater impact on the betterment of middle adults mental health than it did on younger adults. Greater stress relief from vaccination against COVID-19 may help to explain the reduction in anxiety and depression that adults aged 40 years and older experienced beginning in early 2021, noted the study.
For younger adults, perhaps their symptoms were less about infection or illness and more about living through this deeply isolating and turbulent time. Their stress may have something to do with other acute stressors during this period, including the war in Ukraine, all too frequent mass shootings, repeated climate catastrophes, and police violence against people of color. While we can't tie any one of those events directly to the levels of symptoms observed in these data, we know that a lot was going on between 2020 and 2022. Those are all important things for researchers and policymakers to be thinking about, Collier Villaume said.
Collier Villaume and her team plan to continue following these trends over time, possibly conducting a follow-up study with additional Household Pulse Survey data or other large national surveys. I am interested in understanding the role that economic precarity plays in wellbeing more broadly, she said. Id like to expand the study with a more in-depth survey, or to engage with a qualitative collaborator to use methods like focus group or interview research to understand how people are experiencing economic stability or uncertainty during stressful times, what thoughts and concerns are driving their experiences.
The study is titled Age Disparities in Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Among U.S. Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. In addition to Collier Villaume and Adam, Shanting Chen is an author of the study.
Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, MD, FRCPC, MBChB
Credit: American College of Rheumatology
According to standard self-reported questionnaires completed 5 years apart, the symptoms of fibromyalgia remained stable or improved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although results were unexpected, investigators believed the findings may be related to a variety of influences including a slower life pace during the pandemic, resilience to extended stressors, and scoring significantly higher than healthy controls in all measures, which may mean changes during the pandemic could represent a regression to the mean. This data was presented at theAmerican College of Rheumatologys 2023 Convergencein San Diego, California.1
Fibromyalgia symptoms fluctuate, with exacerbation commonly associated with stressors, wrote investigator Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, MD, FRCPC, MBChB, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at McGill University, QC, Canada, and colleagues. The COVID-19 pandemic was a cause of prolonged stress due to factors such as restricted medical care, social isolation, actual COVID infection, and changes in activity or work status. Worsening of health status in fibromyalgia could be anticipated.
Investigators using survey data to compare health status pre-pandemic (2017) and in August 2022 among patients with fibromyalgia and healthy controls to determine the impact the pandemic had on this patient population. Information collected included demographics, perception of health status change, symptom characteristics, and emotional perceptions regarding the pandemic. Participants also filled out the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) for depression and anxiety, the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Physical Activity Self-Administered Questionnaire (AQAP), and the ED-5D-5L Quality of Life Questionnaire. Emotions related to the pandemic were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Analyses, including the Fischer Exact test, Wilk-Shapiro test, and Kruskal-Wallis test, adjusted for variables.
A total of 32 women with fibromyalgia and 21 healthy female controls completed the survey. Participants were predominantly White, although there were significant differences regarding body mass index, which was higher in the patient population, living alone, and work status. Approximately one third (34%) of patients with fibromyalgia experienced COVID-19 infection compared with 14% of healthy controls. The patient group reported more infection-related complications (9% vs 0%, respectively), as well as changes in work status (56% vs 43%, respectively). Adjustments in treatment tended to be non-pharmacological (47%) than pharmacological (25%).
While emotions related to COVID-19 were comparable between cohorts, patients with fibromyalgia reported a perceived worsening of pain (53% vs 5%, respectively). However, this was without change on the questionnaire-based measurement. Interestingly, 16% of patients with fibromyalgia reported an improvement in symptoms during the pandemic, compared with only 5% of controls.
Patients had greater COVID-19 perceived anxiety (3.8 vs 2.5, respectively), although there were no differences for numbers screened positive for depression and anxiety on the PHQ.
Quality of life was significantly improved for the patient group compared with controls. Prior to the pandemic, the average total FIQ score for patients was 62.81 compared with 50.91 during the pandemic, representing a -11.91 change. Conversely, the total FIQ score for healthy controls was 7.63 pre-pandemic, which increased to 25.04 during COVID-19, representing a 17.41 change. All other questionnaire measures were unchanged for both cohorts.
Physical activity levels were maintained in the patient group but decreased in healthy controls. Clinical measures for patients with fibromyalgia were linked to function, affective status and total FIQ, although they were not related to changes in pain or demographic variables. There were no significant correlations in the healthy control group.
References
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Nov 29, 2023, 14:26 IST
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H9N2 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus, belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. It primarily affects birds, with a high prevalence in poultry such as chickens and turkeys. The virus can undergo genetic reassortment, leading to the emergence of new strains. The transmission of H9N2 occurs through direct contact with infected birds, their respiratory secretions, or contaminated environments. The virus can persist in water and on surfaces, contributing to its spread within and between flocks. A human case of H9N2 virus infection in October 2023 in China was reported to WHO
In poultry, H9N2 infections can range from asymptomatic to severe, depending on various factors such as the bird species, age, and the presence of other pathogens. Common symptoms in birds include respiratory distress, reduced egg production, and a drop in feed consumption. In humans, symptoms are similar to those of other influenza viruses and may include fever, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.
Implementing strict biosecurity measures is essential to prevent the introduction and spread of H9N2 in poultry farms. This includes controlling access to farms, regular disinfection of facilities, and ensuring that personnel and equipment are free from contamination. Regular surveillance of poultry populations is crucial for early detection of H9N2 infections. Monitoring bird health, conducting routine testing, and promptly reporting any unusual illness can help prevent the spread of the virus.
Practicing good hygiene is essential in both commercial and backyard poultry settings. This includes proper waste disposal, regular cleaning and disinfection of equipment and facilities, and the use of protective clothing by farm workers. Educating poultry farmers, workers, and the general public about the risks associated with H9N2 is important for prevention. Awareness campaigns can help disseminate information on proper hygiene practices, the importance of early detection, and the potential consequences of the virus. To avoid spreading to humans, those in contact with the infected animals should clean their hands regularly and disinfect their clothes and belongings if they are in direct contact with the birds.
"Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the reported outbreak of H9N2 cases and clusters of respiratory illness in children in northern China. There is low risk to India from both the avian influenza case reported from China as well as the clusters of respiratory illness," as per an official statement made on November 24. The overall risk assessment by WHO indicates a low probability of human to human spread and low case fatality rate among human cases of H9N2 reported to WHO so far.
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Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations
Health officials in the UK are investigating the first confirmed case of a new strain of swine flu, identified as A(H1N2)v. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the virus strain is similar to flu viruses currently circulating in pigs in the UK.
The A(H1N2)v infection was detected in a person during a routine flu screening test at a general practitioner (GP) in North Yorkshire complaining of breathing problems. The individual was tested by their GP after experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations.
"This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK, though it is very similar to viruses that have been detected in pigs," Dr Meera Chand, Incident Director at the UKHSA, said.
"We are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce any potential spread. In accordance with established protocols, investigations are underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases," she said.
Influenza A(H1) viruses are enzootic in swine populations in most regions of the world. When an influenza virus that normally circulates in swine is detected in a person, it is called a variant influenza virus, as per the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 are major subtypes of swine flu A viruses in pigs and occasionally infect humans.
A total of 50 human cases of influenza A(H1N2)v have been reported globally since 2005. Influenza A(H1N2)v has not previously been detected in humans in the UK. Human infections with swine influenza viruses occur sporadically.
Based on early information, the infection detected in the UK is a distinct clade (1b.1.1), which is different from recent human cases of influenza A(H1N2) elsewhere in the world but is similar to viruses in pigs in the UK.
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